Introduction: This is a characteristic snack of the Bai ethnic group in Xizhou. It comes in two flavors, sweet and salty. The outer skin is crispy and the inside is soft with distinct layers. The sweet filling usually contains rose sugar, etc., while the salty one often has scallions, fresh meat, etc.
Recommended Shops: There are many shops that make and sell it on the spot in Sifang Street of Xizhou Ancient Town. Among them, “Fuxing Po Su Baba” is quite popular.
Er Si/Er Kuai (Rice Noodles/Blocks)
Introduction: Made from processed rice, the er si has a fine and glutinous texture, and the er kuai can be made into various shapes according to preference. They can be cooked in various ways such as boiling, frying, grilling, etc. Boiled er si is usually served with delicious broth, meat sauce, vegetables, etc.; fried er kuai is often stir-fried with ham, eggs, vegetables, etc., with a rich flavor.
Recommended Shops: Both the cold chicken rice noodles and braised er si in “Dali Ancient Town Zaihui Shou” are well-received; the fried er kuai in “Yiheng Restaurant” is worth trying.
Dishes
Casserole Fish
Introduction: Fresh fish from Xiangyun Lake is selected and paired with fresh ingredients like tender chicken slices and winter mushrooms, along with Gong fish or carp, and slowly stewed in a Xiangyun earthen pot. The quality is fresh and the meat is delicious, not fishy or greasy, with a unique flavor.
Recommended Shops: Some characteristic restaurants near Longkan Pier can offer relatively authentic casserole fish.
Hot and Sour Fish
Introduction: This is a traditional dish of the Bai ethnic group, with a pleasant sour and spicy taste. Crucian carp is mainly used as the ingredient, and it is cooked with sour papaya, chili peppers, Chinese prickly ash and other seasonings. The fish soup is sour and spicy and appetizing, and the fish meat is tender.
Recommended Shops: Many local restaurants in Shuanglang Ancient Town have this dish, such as “Jixianghong” restaurant.
Carved Plum
Introduction: It is named because patterns are carved on the surface of green plums. It is both a delicacy and a handicraft. After removing the core of the green plum, a carving knife is used to carve exquisite patterns on its surface, and then it is soaked with sugar, honey, etc. It tastes sweet and sour, crisp and refreshing with a delicate fragrance.
Recommended Purchase Places: Some characteristic handicraft and food stores in Dali Ancient Town can sell good-quality carved plums, such as “Yangji Carved Plum”.
Raw Skin
Introduction: This is a unique dish of the Bai ethnic group. After a pig is slaughtered, the pigskin is roasted over a fire with straw or wheat straw until the surface of the pigskin turns yellow. Then it is cut into shreds or slices and eaten with a special dipping sauce (usually containing plum old vinegar, soy sauce, chili oil, Chinese prickly ash powder, etc.). The taste is fresh and tender with a bit of chewiness. However, tourists from other places may need to choose carefully due to different eating habits.
Recommended Shops: It can be eaten at traditional Bai ethnic village banquets or in some local restaurants around Dali Ancient Town, such as “Dali Bai Ethnic Special Raw Skin Restaurant”.
Desserts/Snacks
Ru Shan (Milk Fan)
Introduction: Made from milk, in a fan shape, it can be eaten raw or cooked. When eaten raw, it is slightly sour with a sweet taste and a rich milk flavor; when cooked, it can be fried, grilled, etc. Fried ru shan has a crispy texture and is often sprinkled with white sugar or dipped in condensed milk.
Recommended Shops: You can buy good-quality ru shan in the “Ru Shan Specialty Store” in the ancient town, and you can also taste freshly made fried ru shan at some snack stalls.
Liang Xia (Cool Shrimp)
Introduction: It is made by cooking rice pulp and dripping it through a colander into a basin of cold water to form shapes that look like shrimps due to their big heads and thin tails. With brown sugar water, rose sugar, etc. added, it is cold and sweet, and is an excellent summer treat.
Recommended Shops: You can often see street stalls selling liang xia in Dali Ancient Town, and it’s good to choose any one to taste.
Yangbi Rice Noodle Rolls
Introduction: Using thin and delicate rice noodle skins as the raw material, rolled with walnut paste, bean sprouts, leeks and other ingredients, and then paired with a special sour and spicy sauce. The texture is soft and glutinous, and the flavor is rich in layers.
Recommended Shops: Some small shops in Yangbi can offer more authentic ones, such as “Yangbi Rice Noodle Rolls Old Shop”.
Food Exploration Routes
Dali Ancient Town and Surroundings
Breakfast: Find a small shop in the ancient town and taste the characteristic er si or er kuai of Dali.
Morning Snack: When strolling in the ancient town, you can buy a carved plum or ru shan to try.
Lunch: Choose a local restaurant and order dishes like casserole fish and fried er kuai.
Afternoon Tea: Have a bowl of liang xia at a street stall to relieve the heat.
Dinner: You can try special delicacies like hot and sour fish or raw skin.
Xizhou Ancient Town
Morning: When visiting Xizhou Ancient Town, be sure to taste po su baba. The freshly baked one is the most delicious.
Noon: Taste local home-cooked dishes in a restaurant in the ancient town, such as the eight major bowls of the Bai ethnic group.
Shuanglang Ancient Town
Lunch/Dinner: In a lakeside restaurant in Shuanglang, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Erhai Lake while having casserole fish, hot and sour fish and other delicacies, and also order some characteristic vegetables and snacks.
